Juniper, AKA Bean, is a 13 year old Connemara pony that has decided to give driving a try after a successful career in eventing, dressage and fox hunting. Her owner has been ground driving her around her farm on a drag in both an open and closed bridle without incident so it was time to start working her into the carriage. (it looks like her mouth is gaping open but it's really her pink lips from treats)
Marion brought Bean to the house Saturday morning and because this pony has quite a fan club there was a large audience eagerly watching as we went through the steps to hitching her for the first time. I had long line spotters on either side as we took the pony through the paces. With her dressage background she understandably got a little confused when the shafts pushed on her but she was calm and just patiently waited for me to explain what to do and she quickly figured things out.
Bean came back on Sunday and we worked her without the lines being connected and Marion even drove her a bit at the walk and trot. Bean is going to make a great driving pony and it's going to be cool to watch these two progress.





